"Razor clam digging will return to the Washington coast Monday, Oct. 6 with a seven-day tide series," said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. "It's common to encounter some small clams this early in the season. As a reminder, each digger must keep their first 15 clams regardless of size or condition. This is also the time of year when harvesters might encounter Dungeness crab buried in the clam beds, so please dig carefully to avoid damaging other intertidal species."
The Washington State Department of Health requires test samples for marine toxins, and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach can open for digging. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. Final approval usually occurs about a week or less - sometimes two to three days - before the start of each digging series. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, is available on the WDFW's domoic acid webpage.
The following digs during later afternoon/evening (noon to midnight only) low tides will proceed as scheduled:
Most successful digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide.
On all open beaches - Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, and Mocrocks - the daily limit is 15 clams per person. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 15 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition.
Diggers must have a valid 2025-2026 license. Licenses can be purchased from WDFW's licensing website and from hundreds of license vendors around the state. All diggers age 16 or older must have a fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. WDFW recommends diggers buy their license before visiting coastal beach communities.
WDFW reminds beachgoers to avoid disturbing nesting snowy plovers - a small sand-colored shorebird, by staying out of the dunes and posted areas along the sandy beach coastline. Snowy plover nests are nearly invisible, and it is vital to give birds the space to live and thrive during the nesting period, especially along the southern end of Twin Harbors, known as Midway Beach, and north of Second Avenue in Ocean City to the north end of Copalis Beach and the north end of Long Beach. Avoid leaving leftover food or trash on the beach and picnic areas, keep pets on a leash, stay out of dunes, and avoid areas marked with posted signs. Refer to the WDFW webpage for more information.
In early fall the beaches still have a lot of soft sand built up, which can make beach driving hazardous. WDFW asks that diggers carefully drive on the uppermost part of the hard-packed sand near the high tide line to avoid crushing clam bed and buried female Dungeness crab. Be sure to obey the 25-mph speed limit and avoid parking on the beach approaches, which creates congestion leading on and off the beach.
Kalaloch beach off the northern Olympic Peninsula coast won't be open due to continuing issues with depressed populations of harvestable clams.
The 2025-26 Razor Clam Management Plan is available on the WDFW's website. WDFW welcomes public input on proposed razor clam schedules and considers this feedback when finalizing each season's digs. Public comments may be emailed to: [email protected]. For more information, refer to the WDFW's razor clam webpage.
WDFW works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.